Circular Needle Endoscopic Suturing With Integrated Tissue Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic suturing devices for large gastrointestinal defects are cumbersome, expensive, require multiple working channels, and lack sufficient tissue support, leading to inefficiencies and potential tissue perforation during suturing.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic suturing system with a c-shaped distal assembly that angles non-perpendicularly to the endoscope, using an arcuate needle and a shuttle mechanism to facilitate suturing without a separate tissue grabber, allowing for single-channel operation and maintaining scope flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate tissue grabber is used to provide side support during needle piercing, then tissue support is improved, but device complexity increases and an additional working channel is required
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue support function is merged into the distal assembly structure itself. The distal assembly includes a support surface that provides lateral support for the tissue during needle piercing, eliminating the need for a separate tissue grabber device. This integration resolves the contradiction by providing reliable tissue support while reducing device complexity and eliminating the requirement for an additional working channel.
2Productivity
If a straight needle traveling in circular motion is used, then suturing function is achieved, but needle deflection occurs due to sideway tissue reaction force
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed with an arcuate (curved) geometry rather than a straight configuration. This arcuate needle travels through a curved path that is pre-formed in the distal assembly, allowing it to accommodate lateral tissue reaction forces during piercing without deflecting or missing the receiver. The curved geometry resolves the contradiction by maintaining needle accuracy and reliability while preserving the circular motion suturing function.
3Strength
If extra bulk is added to the distal mechanism to increase stiffness, then needle deflection is prevented, but scope flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate needle traveling through a pre-formed curved path in the distal assembly eliminates the need for additional bulk or increased stiffness in the distal mechanism. The curved geometry distributes forces along the needle path, preventing deflection without requiring extra structural reinforcement that would compromise scope flexibility. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining both needle accuracy and scope adaptability.
4Illumination intensity
If the scope camera axis is positioned in the needle operation plane, then camera viewing is achieved, but tissue blocks the camera view during suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The distal assembly is designed with an asymmetric C-shaped configuration where the needle operation plane is offset from the camera axis. The arcuate needle travels in a curved path that is positioned such that the tissue being sutured does not block the camera's line of sight. This asymmetric arrangement resolves the contradiction by maintaining both camera viewing capability and ease of operation during suturing procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of suturing provides an endoscopic suture system. The endoscopic suture system has a needle coupled with a suture. The needle is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction. The system has a cable configured to move in a first direction and a second direction. The cable and the needle are configured to movably couple and uncouple. When the cable and the needle are coupled, movement of the cable in the first direction causes rotation of the needle in the first rotational direction. The method pulls the cable in the second direction, without rotating the needle, to cause coupling of the cable with the needle. The method pulls the cable in the first direction, after the needle and the cable are coupled, to rotate the needle.